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Marquis' walks don't concern Balsley

Marquis' walks don't concern Balsley

SAN DIEGO -- Jason Marquis has issued 65 walks this season, more than any pitcher in the Major Leagues.

However, Padres pitching coach Darren Balsley doesn't mind the walk total for Marquis, and there is no effort to slow them down.

"Some of those walks, I call them 'navigating his way through a ballgame,'" Balsley said. "He's stubborn and he doesn't actually pitch around guys. He's going to throw the ball where he thinks they can't put it in play hard."

So, Marquis won't give in and throw a fastball down the middle on 2-0, when he'd rather just start on the next batter with a fresh count.

And the results have been there for Marquis. He is 9-4 with a 3.77 ERA.

"Out of all the guys I've seen here, I think Jason navigates his way through a game better than anybody I've ever seen," Balsley said.

"Other guys, I would want them in the strike zone more, changing speeds. Jason has a knack in there on how to do it, and it rarely burns him. On occasion, it does. But if he continues pitching the way in the second half that he did in the first half, the walks won't bother me at all."

Jamal Collier is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.